Xabi Alonso has a lot to unpack following Chelsea’s win over Actual Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Enzo Fernandez grimaces throughout Chelsea’s conflict in opposition to Actual Sociedad(Picture: Photograph by Adrian DENNIS / AFP through Getty Photographs)
Enzo Fernandez stole the limelight throughout Xabi Alonso’s first sport in control of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has confronted an unsure future for some time now, was booed by sections of the house trustworthy on Saturday afternoon, as Joao Pedro fired the Blues to a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad.
Morgan Rogers broke the impasse contained in the opening quarter of an hour, marking his first appearance for Chelsea with a goal. Jon Mikel Aramburu levelled proceedings shortly earlier than the break, beating Robert Sanchez with a well-struck volley from simply exterior the field.
The Blues leapt out of the gates within the second half, with Joao Pedro restoring the lead courtesy of a close-range header. He later added a second to his tally, netting his eighth objective in seven pre-season pleasant video games, together with these behind closed doorways.
Chatting with club media after the sport, Alonso mirrored on his house debut. The Chelsea supervisor stated: “It was an excellent final preparation sport. For some gamers, it was the primary one and the final one.
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
“For us, there have been some good issues, some issues we are able to enhance. It’s regular at this second for some gamers. It was nice to have all of the staff collectively. A few of them, after three days, may play for 60 minutes.
“It was the final take a look at. Now we’ve got an entire week to arrange for Fulham, but it surely was a great feeling within the stadium.”
So, with that being stated, soccer.london has checked out 5 issues you’ll have missed throughout Chelsea’s conflict in opposition to Actual Sociedad.
Pal or Foe?
The Blues definitely caught the attention, but Fernandez stole the limelight. The Argentina worldwide was booed by some and cheered by others upon his return to motion following the World Cup.
Shortly earlier than the fourth official put up the digital board to sign the change of Fernandez for Reece James, there was an eerie murmur spreading among the crowd. ‘To boo or to not boo?’ That was the query on the minds of supporters, who had been uncertain whether or not to plead with him to remain or berate him for wanting to depart.
Fernandez stood alone on the sidelines for just a few moments, absorbing the ambiance, earlier than he was joined by Malo Gusto and Josh Acheampong; Mike Penders, who got here on for Sanchez, was late to the celebration. The Argentine nervously waited to come back on.
The Chelsea skipper wrapped the captain’s armband round Fernandez’s arm earlier than giving him a hug. At first, the Argentine was booed, however then supporters within the Matthew Harding and Shed Finish leapt to his defence, chanting his title as they tried to drown out the opposite half of the stadium.
Then, following the full-time whistle, Fernandez did a low-key lap of honour, applauding the followers earlier than heading down the tunnel. Carefully adopted by Romeo Lavia, he was the primary to depart the sector. May it have been a goodbye?
Rogers leaps out of the blocks
Rogers raced out of the blocks on Saturday afternoon, marking his first look for Chelsea with a objective. It was hardly a worldie, like a lot of his strikes for Aston Villa through the years, however the brand new Blues midfielder reacted quickest to a unfastened ball contained in the six-yard field.
Alonso faces Chelsea backline dilemma
Apparently, Wesley Fofana, who will miss the opening conflict of the brand new Premier League season in opposition to Fulham on Monday, August 24 because of suspension, performed your complete match. The Chelsea defender made an awesome impression in opposition to Actual Sociedad, staking a powerful declare for a key position this season, however now Alonso wants to seek out somebody to fill his fairly massive footwear at Craven Cottage.
Again with a bang!
Pedro marked his long-awaited return to motion at Stamford Bridge with two good targets. The Chelsea striker was a menace all through, and if he wasn’t already, he now appears to be like set to be the first title on the teamsheet for so long as he stays in west London.
Eight Chelsea stars left at house
Eight massive names had been out of the Chelsea squad on Saturday afternoon, and 5 of them may depart the membership earlier than the switch window slams shut at 11pm on Tuesday, September 1. Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mykhailo Mudryk, Aaron Anselmino, and Mamadou Sarr every face unsure futures at Stamford Bridge, whereas Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson had been left at house.
